Easy Open Plastic Bags

ABSTRACT

A woven laminated plastic bag having an easy open feature is provided. The easy open feature is generally defined by a weakened portion in the bag. In various aspects the bag can be fabricated from woven polypropylene and/or polyethylene layer which can be laminated with a film layer, can form a pinch bottom bag, and can have one or both sides include graphics and/or printing. The bag can also provide a top end and/or a bottom end either or both of which provide a discrete area which may contain discrete graphics and/or printing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/682,289 filed on Nov. 20, 2012, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/372,211, filed on Feb. 13, 2012, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to plastic bags with improved openingfeatures.

Description of the Related Art

Conventional plastic bags of a wide variety of size and shape are usedin various situations. Bulk materials, such as flour, sugar, rice, seed,animal feed, chemicals, powdered materials or the like, for example,typically have been packaged in woven plastic bags in the past. Petfood, bird seed and other products sold in retail stores typically havenot been packaged in conventional woven plastic bags. Among otherreasons for this, woven plastic bags were considered too rudimentary tobe printed with high end graphics suitable for consumer type ofpackaging. In addition, the high speed requirements in the filling andpackaging operations limited the use of the woven bags in theseapplications.

Laminated woven sacks (LWS) were developed using a woven polypropylenestructure laminated to a bi-oriented polypropylene film (BOPP) that canbe reverse printed with high end graphics suitable for consumer type ofpackaging. The LWS provides a stronger, more attractive bag than themore conventional multiwall bags used for that purpose over the last 20years. Due to their tough strong structure, conventional LWS bags aretypically sewn shut on both ends. These LWS recently met with successand have been successfully substituted for the conventional multiwallpaper bags used in the pet food industry for many years.

One major drawback of the sewn LWS has been the closing of the bags athigh speed filling lines, such as those for filling such bags with petfood. Experience has shown that sewing production lines are typicallyslower than the filling of the multiwall pinch bottom bags.Additionally, the sewn bags do not provide an aesthetically pleasing anduseful clean display on the ends of the bags, thus making it difficultfor consumers to identify or find a desired brand quickly when the bagsare displayed on the shelves at the point of sale, such as when they arestacked on top of one another. In addition, the sewn ends requiredpuncturing the plastic bags and thus result in a bag that is not sealed,leading to somewhat reduced shelf-life and possible infestation of thecontents of the bag. Thus, there is a need for pinch laminated wovensacks that overcome these drawbacks in the filling and closingoperations while allowing an attractive graphic display of the bags'ends at the retail outlet and also providing a strong, durable bag whichremains sealed.

One major disadvantage of the newly developed pinch bottom laminatedwoven sack, however, is that it does not include an easy open featurethat allows the consumer or purchaser to quickly and easily open the bagwithout the use of scissors or knives. There is a need for such a pinchbottom laminated woven sack which is easy to open without the use ofscissors, knives or other such instruments, and also does not requirethe use of excessive force.

Woven plastic bags have been used and are conventional for certainapplications. An example of a conventional woven plastic bag is providedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,979 (“the '979 patent”), issued on Feb. 15, 1983.The '979 patent describes the use of woven strips of highlylongitudinally-oriented, high-density polyethylene or polypropylene in abag construction in which the bag is formed from a seamed tube made ofthe woven plastic material. The seamed tube has gussets on either sideand, when a portion is cut from the rest of the tube, a bag having twoopen, unsealed ends is provided. The '979 patent describes the use ofultrasonic spot welds to seal portions of a bag made of such wovenplastic strips, as opposed to sewing the seams of a bag or using a hotmelt adhesive to seal the gusset forming pleat. The '979 patent ishereby incorporated by reference herein. The '979 patent purports to bean improvement for sealing a plastic bag. As noted in the '979 patent,sewing one end tends to take longer, thus adding time to themanufacturing process. In addition, the sewn ends in a conventional bagtend to be a weak portion of the bag, and a likely location for rips,tearing, and subsequent loss of contents during storing, shipping andhandling. In addition, such bags may not provide sufficient protectionfrom infestation from vermin and/or insects.

Another example of plastic bags is disclosed in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication Number US 2010/0029455 A1 (“the '455 publication”),published on Feb. 4, 2010, which describes production of web sectionsfrom a flexible web material that is provided with tear-off linesproduced by laser beam processing at the distance of the length of theweb sections to be formed. The tear-off lines weaken the flexible webmaterial, but do not result in complete separation of the web sectionsfrom the web material, which occurs upon tearing the flexible webmaterial. The '455 publication is incorporated by reference herein.

More recently, some types of plastic bags have provided improvements insealing the ends of the bags. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,800,051 B2(“the '051 patent”), issued on Oct. 5, 2004, a process for sealing sidefold sacks made of plastic film is described. According to the '051patent, a web of plastic tubular film is cut to provide a staggereddetachment along a perforation so that one wall (e.g., the front wall)projects beyond the opposing wall (e.g., the back wall). The projectingportion of the first wall is then folded over and sealed to the opposingwall by means of a plastic adhesive such as a polyurethane adhesive orhot melt. The '051 patent is hereby incorporated by reference herein.However, such bags involve plastic films, not woven plastic materials,and therefore are unable to handle the weight loads of conventional bulkbags made of paper and other materials. Such bags are useful for onlycertain lightweight contents, such as bread.

There are a variety of conventional ways of providing for reusableopenings in bags. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,465 B1 (“the '465patent”), issued Nov. 12, 2002, describes a peelable opening in amultiwall, pinched bottom open mouth bag construction. The '465 patentalso describes the use of an adhesive layer that can be used so that thebag opening is reclosable. The '465 patent is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

In other types of conventional plastic bags, such as those used inretail and grocery stores, the use of weakened portion provided by oneor more perforations in the plastic bag wall is known. A number ofapproaches have been taken in connection with such bags, including thoseshown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,235 (the '235 patent), issued Feb. 23,1993, as well as in U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2005/0087542A1 (the '542 application), published Apr. 28, 2005, U.S. Pat. No.5,979,655 (the '655 patent), issued Nov. 9, 1999, and U.S. PublishedPatent Application No. 2006/0072856 (the '856 application), issued Apr.6, 2006. However, none of these bags are woven bags, let alone bags withmultiple layers. The '235 patent, the '655 patent, the '542 application,and the '856 application are hereby incorporated by reference.

Typically woven and non-woven bags are sealed with a single or doublefold at each end with tape over the single or double fold, stitching atboth ends, or a zipper at one end and a single or double fold at theother end. However, opening woven and certain non-woven bags has provendifficult, due to the strength of the bag. Therefore, what is needed arewoven and non-woven bags that are easier to open, that do not add muchto the cost or time to manufacture, and are not susceptible toinadvertent tearing, punctures, breaking, or the like.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides woven and non-woven plastic bagscomprising an easy open feature, which makes the presently disclosedwoven and non-woven plastic bags easier to open than conventional wovenand non-woven plastic bags.

The present disclosure provides a bag comprising a front wall, a backwall, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end, a bottom end,a first layer and a second layer, each of the front wall and back wallhaving an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end and a bottomend, wherein the first layer comprises a polymer and the second layercomprises a polymer attached to the first layer, and wherein the bagcomprises an easy open feature located on the front wall of the bag, theback wall of the bag, or a combination thereof. The first layer cancomprise a woven polymer, including, but not limited to, polypropylene,high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polyester, or anycombination thereof. The second layer can comprise a polymeric film,including, but not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, polyamide, or any combination thereof, or paper or coatedpaper portion suitable for having high quality print graphics thereon,or a combination of a polymeric film and a paper portion suitable forhaving high quality print graphics thereon. The second layer canalternatively comprise an oriented polymeric film, including, but notlimited to, oriented polypropylene, biaxially-oriented polypropylene,oriented polyethylene, biaxially-oriented polyethylene, orientedpolyethylene terephthalate, biaxially-oriented polyethyleneterephthalate, oriented polyamide, biaxially-oriented polyamide, or anycombination thereof. The first layer and second layer can be laminatedtogether. Thus in certain aspects the first layer can consist or consistessentially of a woven polymer and the second layer can consist orconsist essentially of a film.

In general the easy open feature comprises a weakened area. The weakenedarea can comprise a cut having a first end and a second end, wherein thecut penetrates through at least a portion of the front wall of the bag,the back wall of the bag, or a combination thereof. In certain aspectsthe cut can comprise a line or an open shape, including, but not limitedto, a carat, a semi-circle, an open square, or an open rectangle. Theweakened area can further comprise a plurality of perforations extendingfrom the first end or the second end of the cut, wherein the pluralityof perforations penetrate through at least a portion of the front wallof the bag, the back wall of the bag, or a combination thereof. Invarious aspects the plurality of perforations extends about 5%, about10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%,about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95% or about 99% of adistance across the front wall of the bag, the back wall of the bag, ora combination thereof. In certain embodiments the plurality ofperforations extends from the first end of the cut to the second end ofthe cut. The plurality of perforations can extend around one or morewalls of the bag, or can alternatively extend to form a shape,including, but not limited to, a circle, a triangle, a square or arectangle. The shape can be comprised on a single wall of the bag, orcan extend over contiguous walls of the bag. Further, a plurality ofperforations can extend from the first end of the cut and a plurality ofperforations can extend from the second end of the cut. The plurality ofperforations can extend from the first end of the cut and the second endof the cut about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%,about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about95% or about 99% of a distance across the front wall of the bag, theback wall of the bag, or a combination thereof, or can extend to form ashape, including, but not limited to, a circle, a triangle, a square ora rectangle. Once again, the shape can be comprised on a single wall ofthe bag, or can extend over contiguous walls of the bag.

The weakened area can also comprise a first cut having a first end and asecond end and a second cut having a first end and a second end. Inparticular embodiments the first cut and the second cut intersect, forexample comprising an “X” shape, or the first cut and the second cutcomprise parallel lines. The weakened area can additionally comprise athird cut, and the first cut, the second cut and the third cut areconnected, for example wherein the first cut, the second cut and thethird cut comprise an “H” shape (or a sideways “H” shape when viewingthe bag with the top end of the bag up). The weakened area can furthercomprise a plurality of perforations extending from the first end andthe second end of the first cut, and a plurality of perforationsextending from the first end and the second end of the second cut,wherein the plurality of perforations penetrate through at least aportion of the front wall of the bag, the back wall of the bag, or acombination thereof. The plurality of perforations extending from thefirst end and the second end of the first cut and the plurality ofperforations extending from the first end and the second end of thesecond cut can comprise parallel lines or lines that intersect. Invarious embodiments the plurality of perforations can extending from thefirst end and the second end of the first cut and the first end and thesecond end of the second cut about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%,about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%,about 90%, about 95% or about 99% of a distance across the front wall ofthe bag, the back wall of the bag, or a combination thereof.

The weakened area can alternatively comprise a plurality of perforationsthat penetrate through at least a portion of the front wall of the bag,the back wall of the bag, or a combination thereof. The plurality ofperforations can form a line that extends about 5%, about 10%, about15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%,about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95% or about 99% of a distance acrossthe front wall of the bag, the back wall of the bag, or a combinationthereof. The plurality of perforations can also form a shape, including,but not limited to, a circle, an oval, a triangle, a square or arectangle. In other aspects, the plurality of perforations forms a firstline and a second line, which can be about parallel and extend about 5%,about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%,about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95% or about 99% of adistance across the front wall of the bag, the back wall of the bag, ora combination thereof. Furthermore, the weakened area can comprise adeformation in least a portion of the front wall of the bag, the backwall of the bag, or a combination thereof. For example, the weakenedarea can comprise a scoring mark.

The easy open feature can be comprised within the first layer or thesecond layer of the bag, or within the first layer and the second layerof the bag. The bag can further comprise an adhesive pull tab coveringat least a portion of the easy open feature or the entire easy openfeature. The adhesive pull tab can comprise a piece of tape, and canalso comprise printing, for example directions for opening the easy openfeature or a promotional coupon.

In certain embodiments the bottom end of the bag is sealed usingconventional means. For example, at least a portion of a single fold ofthe bottom end of the front wall and the rear wall of the bag can besealed to the outer surface of the front wall or rear wall of the bag,using an adhesive sealing, heat sealing, adhesive lamination, extrusionlamination, stitching, ultrasonic energy, pressure, tape, or anycombination thereof. Alternatively at least a portion of a double foldof the bottom end of the front wall and the rear wall of the bag can besealed to the outer surface of the front wall or rear wall of the bag.However, in certain aspects at least a portion of the bottom end of therear wall, or the entire bottom end of the rear wall, projects furtherthan the bottom end of the front wall. Thus, the portion of the bottomend of the rear wall that projects further than the bottom end of thefront wall can be sealed to the outer surface of the bottom end of thefront wall. Additionally, the top end of the bag can be sealed usingconventional means. For example, at least a portion of a single fold ofthe top end of the front wall and the rear wall of the bag can be sealedto the outer surface of the front wall or rear wall of the bag, using anadhesive sealing, heat sealing, adhesive lamination, extrusionlamination, stitching, ultrasonic energy, pressure, tape, or anycombination thereof. Alternatively at least a portion of a double foldof the top end of the front wall and the rear wall of the bag can besealed to the outer surface of the front wall or the rear wall of thebag. However, in certain aspects at least a portion of the top end ofthe rear wall, or the entire top end of the rear wall, projects furtherthan the top end of the front wall. Thus, the portion of the top end ofthe rear wall that projects further than the top end of the front wallcan be sealed to the outer surface of the bottom end of the front wall.The top end and/or the bottom end of the bag can also comprise stitchingthere through.

In certain embodiments the bag further comprises a first side wallhaving an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end and a bottomend, and a second side wall having an interior surface, an exteriorsurface, a top end and a bottom end. The first side wall and/or thesecond side wall can comprise gussets. In certain aspects at least aportion of the bottom end of the rear wall projects further than thebottom end of the first side wall, the bottom end of the second sidewall, and the bottom end of the front wall. In an exemplary way to sealthe bottom end of such bags, the portion of the bottom end of the rearwall that projects further than the bottom end of the first side wall,the bottom end of the second side wall, and the bottom end of the frontwall can be sealed to the outer surface of the bottom end of the frontwall. In additional aspects at least a portion of the top end of thefront wall projects further than the top end of the first side wall, thetop end of the second side wall and the top end of the rear wall. Inthese aspects the portion of the top end of the bag that projectsfurther than the top end of the first side wall, the top end of thesecond side wall and the top end of the rear wall can be sealed to theouter surface of the top end of the rear wall.

Alternatively a portion of the bottom end of the rear wall can projectfurther than the bottom end of the first side wall and the bottom end ofthe second side wall, and a portion of the bottom end of the first sidewall and the bottom end of the second side wall can project further thanthe bottom end of the front wall. In an exemplary way to seal the bottomend of such bags, the portion of the bottom end of the rear wall thatprojects further than the bottom end of the first side wall and thebottom end of the second side wall, and the portion of the bottom end ofthe first side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall thatprojects further than the bottom end of the front wall can be sealed tothe outer surface of the bottom end of the front wall. In furtheraspects at least a portion of the top end of the front wall projectsfurther that the top end of the first side wall and the top end of thesecond side wall, and the top end of the first side wall and the top endof the second side wall project further than the top end of the rearwall. In these aspects the portion of the front wall that projectsfurther than the top end of the first side wall and the top end of thesecond side wall, and the portion of the top end of the first side walland the top end of the second side wall that projects further than thetop end of the rear wall can be sealed to the outer surface of the topend of the rear wall. In particular embodiments the top end and thebottom end of the bag are sealed, as set forth above, and the bagcomprises at least ten pounds by weight of a bulk item. In certainaspects such sealed bags can comprise six printable surfaces.

Additionally the bag can further comprise a third layer comprising apolymer positioned between the first layer and the second layer. Thethird layer can comprise a woven polymer, including, but not limited to,polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene,polyester, or any combination thereof. The third layer can alternativelycomprise a polymeric film, including, but not limited to, polypropylene,polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, or any combinationthereof. The third layer can further comprises an oriented polymericfilm, including, but not limited to, oriented polypropylene,biaxially-oriented polypropylene, oriented polyethylene,biaxially-oriented polyethylene, oriented polyethylene terephthalate,biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate, oriented polyamide,biaxially-oriented polyamide, or any combination thereof.

The present disclosure additionally provides a bag comprising a frontwall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an interiorsurface, an exterior surface, a top end, a bottom end, a first layer anda second layer, the front wall, back wall, first side wall and secondside wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end anda bottom end, wherein the first layer comprises a polymer and the secondlayer comprises a polymer attached to the first layer, and wherein thebag comprises an easy open feature located on the front wall of the bag,the back wall of the bag, the first side wall of the bag, the secondside wall of the bag, or any combination thereof. The easy open featurecan be located on the front wall, the back wall, the first side wall,the second side wall, or any combination thereof.

The present disclosure also provides a bag comprising a front wall, aback wall, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end, a bottomend and a first layer, each of the front wall and back wall having aninterior surface, an exterior surface, a top end and a bottom end,wherein the first layer comprises a woven polymer, and wherein the bagcomprises an easy open feature located on the front wall of the bag, theback wall of the bag, or a combination thereof. The first layer cancomprise polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low densitypolyethylene, polyester, or any combination thereof. The bag can furthercomprise a second layer, which can comprise a polymeric film.

The present disclosure further provides a method of making an easy openfeature in a woven polymer bag, comprising creating a weakened area inthe woven polymer bag. The step of creating a weakened area can furthercomprise making a cut, a plurality of perforations, or scoring a line ina portion of the bag surface.

The present disclosure provides bags comprising a front wall, a backwall, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end, a bottom end,a first layer and a second layer, each of the front wall and back wallhaving an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end and a bottomend, wherein the first layer comprises a woven polymer and the secondlayer comprises a film attached to the first layer, and wherein the bagcomprises an easy open feature comprising a cover with a first weakenedarea, the easy open feature located over a second weakened area on thefront wall of the bag, the back wall of the bag, or a combinationthereof. In certain embodiments the first layer comprises polypropylene,high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polyester, or anycombination thereof. In other embodiments at least a portion of thesecond layer comprises a printed area thereon. In further embodimentsthe second layer comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, polyamide, or any combination thereof or paper. In yetfurther embodiments the second layer comprises oriented polypropylene,biaxially-oriented polypropylene, oriented polyethylene,biaxially-oriented polyethylene, oriented polyethylene terephthalate,biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate, oriented polyamide,biaxially-oriented polyamide, coated paper or any combination thereof.In additional embodiments the bags further comprise a third layerbetween said first layer and said second layer. In particularembodiments the third layer is an adhesive. In yet other embodiments thefirst layer and second layer are laminated together. In still otherembodiments the first layer, second layer and third layer are laminatedtogether.

In certain embodiments the easy open feature comprises a cover having afirst surface and a second surface and an adhesive on at least a portionof the first surface, the second surface, or both. In some embodimentsthe first and/or second weakened area comprises a cut having a first endand a second end, wherein the cut penetrates through at least a portionof the bag or cover. In particular embodiments the cut comprises acarat, a semi-circle, an open square, or an open rectangle. In furtherembodiments the first and/or second weakened area further comprises asecond cut having a first end and a second end. In other embodiments thefirst cut and the second cut intersect. In yet other embodiments thefirst cut and the second cut comprise an “X” shape. In yet furtherembodiments the first cut and the second cut comprise parallel lines. Instill further embodiments the first and/or second weakened area furthercomprises a third cut. In some embodiments the first cut, the second cutand the third cut comprises an “H” shape. In some embodiments the bagsfurther comprise a plurality of perforations extending from the firstend and/or the second end of the cut, wherein the plurality ofperforations penetrate through at least a portion of the bag or cover.In certain embodiments the plurality of perforations extends about 5%,about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%,about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95% or about 99% of adistance across the bag or cover.

In further embodiments the first and/or second weakened area comprises aplurality of perforations that penetrate through at least a portion ofthe bag or cover. In particular embodiments the plurality ofperforations forms a line. In some embodiments the plurality ofperforations extends about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%,about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about90%, about 95% or about 99% of a distance across the bag or cover. Inother embodiments the plurality of perforations defines a shape. In yetother embodiments the plurality of perforations defines a first line anda second line.

In certain other embodiments the first and/or second weakened areacomprises a deformation in least a portion of the bag or cover. Infurther embodiments the first or second weakened area further comprisesa scoring mark. In other embodiments the first weakened area comprises acut having a first end and a second end or a plurality of perforations,wherein the cut or plurality of perforations penetrates through at leasta portion of the cover, or a deformation in least a portion of thecover, and the second weakened area comprises a cut having a first endand a second end or a plurality of perforations, wherein the cut orplurality of perforations penetrates through at least a portion of thebag, or a deformation in least a portion of the bag.

In additional embodiments the cover comprises a polymer, a film, anadhesive, a paper, or any combination thereof. In certain embodimentsthe bags further comprise a second cover covering at least a portion ofthe weakened area of the cover. In particular embodiments the secondcover covers the entire weakened area of the cover. In furtherembodiments the second cover comprises a polymer, a film, an adhesive, apaper, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments the cover andthe second cover comprise the same material, width, color, transparencyor strength as the second cover, while in yet other embodiments thecover and the second cover comprise a different material, width, color,transparency or strength as the second cover. In some embodiments thesecond cover comprises a piece of tape. In additional embodiments thesecond cover comprises printing, such as when the second cover comprisesa coupon.

In certain embodiments a single fold of the bottom end of the front walland the rear wall of the bag is sealed to the outer surface of the frontwall of the bag. In other embodiments the bottom end of the bag issealed using an adhesive sealing, heat sealing, adhesive lamination,extrusion lamination, stitching, ultrasonic energy, pressure, tape, orany combination thereof. In further embodiments a double fold of thebottom end of the front wall and the rear wall of the bag is sealed tothe outer surface of the front wall of the bag. In additionalembodiments at least a portion of the bottom end of the rear wallprojects further than the bottom end of the front wall. In suchembodiments the portion of the bottom end of the rear wall that projectsfurther than the bottom end of the front wall can be sealed to the outersurface of the bottom end of the front wall.

In additional embodiments the bags further comprise a first side wallhaving an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end and a bottomend, and a second side wall having an interior surface, an exteriorsurface, a top end and a bottom end, wherein the first side wall and thesecond side wall further comprise gussets. In further embodiments atleast a portion of the bottom end of the rear wall projects further thanthe bottom end of the first side wall, the bottom end of the second sidewall, and the bottom end of the front wall. In yet further embodimentsthe portion of the bottom end of the rear wall that projects furtherthan the bottom end of the first side wall, the bottom end of the secondside wall, and the bottom end of the front wall is sealed to the outersurface of the bottom end of the front wall. In other embodiments atleast a portion of the bottom end of the rear wall projects further thanthe bottom end of the first side wall and the bottom end of the secondside wall, and the bottom end of the first side wall and the bottom endof the second side wall project further than the bottom end of the frontwall, and wherein the portion of the bottom end of the rear wall thatprojects further than the bottom end of the first side wall and thebottom end of the second side wall, and the portion of the bottom end ofthe first side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall thatproject further than the bottom end of the front wall are sealed to theouter surface of the bottom end of the front wall. In still otherembodiments at least a portion of the top end of the front wall projectsfurther than the top end of the first side wall and the top end of thesecond side wall, and the top end of the first side wall and the top endof the second side wall project further than the top end of the rearwall.

In particular embodiments the top end and the bottom end of the bag aresealed, and the bag comprises at least ten pounds by weight of a fillingmaterial. In further embodiments the bags further comprise a fourthlayer comprising a polymer between the first layer and the second layer.In certain embodiments the fourth layer comprises a woven polymer,including, but not limited to, polypropylene, high density polyethylene,low density polyethylene, polyester, or any combination thereof. Inother embodiments the fourth layer comprises a polymeric film,including, but not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, polyamide, or any combination thereof. In additionalembodiments at least portions of the exterior surfaces of each of thefront wall and the back wall comprise a plurality of discrete areasfurther comprising printing thereon. In certain other embodiments aportion of the front wall and a portion of the back wall combine to forma discrete portion of the bag located at or near either the top end orthe bottom end, wherein the discrete portion of the bag comprisesprinting thereon. In yet other embodiments at least a portion of thefront wall or the back wall projects beyond a corresponding portion ofthe other, thereby defining a pinch bottom bag at the top end or thebottom end of the bag.

The present disclosure further provides methods of making a wovenpolymer bag with an easy open feature, comprising attaching a cover witha first weakened area over a second weakened area of the woven polymerbag. In certain embodiments the first and/or second weakened area is acut, a plurality of perforations, or a scoring line. The presentdisclosure additionally provides bags comprising a front wall, a backwall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an interior surface, anexterior surface, a first end, a second end, a first layer and a secondlayer, the front wall, back wall, first side wall and second side wallhaving an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end and asecond end, wherein the first layer comprises a woven polymer and thesecond layer comprises a film laminated to the first layer, wherein thefirst end of the front wall projects further than the first end of thefirst side wall and the first end of the second side wall, and the firstend of the first side wall and the first end of the second side wallprojects further than the first end of the back wall, wherein the bagcomprises printing on the front wall, the first side wall, the backwall, the second side wall, the first end, the second end, or anycombination thereof, and wherein the bag comprises an easy open featurecomprising a cover comprising a first weakened area located over asecond weakened area on the front wall of the bag, the back wall of thebag, the first side wall of the bag, the second side wall of the bag, orany combination thereof, and a second cover located over the firstweakened area of the cover.

The present disclosure also provides bags comprising a front wall, aback wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an interior surface,an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, a first layer and asecond layer, the front wall, back wall, first side wall and second sidewall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end and asecond end, wherein the first layer comprises a woven polymer and thesecond layer comprises a film laminated to the first layer, wherein thefirst end of the front wall projects further than the first end of thefirst side wall and the first end of the second side wall, and the firstend of the first side wall and the first end of the second side wallprojects further than the first end of the back wall, wherein the bagcomprises printing on the front wall, the first side wall, the backwall, the second side wall, the first end, the second end, or anycombination thereof, and wherein the bag comprises a weakened area onthe front wall of the bag, the back wall of the bag, the first side wallof the bag, the second side wall of the bag, or any combination thereof,and a cover located over the weakened area of the bag.

The present disclosure provides a woven plastic bag that is strongerthan bags made of plastic films, and yet easier to open thanconventional woven bags.

The present disclosure also provides a woven plastic bag that includesan easy open feature and still provides strength and durability,reducing the potential for tearing, damage, infestation, and loss ofcontents.

The present disclosure still further provides a woven bag that can bemanufactured more quickly and therefore is less costly than conventionalbags, and that has an easy open feature that makes opening the woven bageasier than opening conventional woven bags.

The present disclosure also provides a woven polymeric bag that providesan attractive high end graphic display on at least one end of the bagswhen are displayed or presented at the point of sale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a bag with an easy open feature comprising a square cutthrough the bag located near the top end of the bag according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a bag with an easy open feature comprising a carat cutthrough the bag located near the bottom end of the bag according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a bag with an easy open feature comprising a semi-circularcut through the bag located near the top end of the bag according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a pull tab comprising a promotional coupon according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a bag with an easy open feature comprising a square cutthrough the bag located near the bottom end of the bag according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature comprising asquare cut through the bag located near the bottom end of the bagaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature comprising asquare cut through the bag located near the top end of the bag accordingto one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open featurecomprising a square cut through the bag located near the bottom end ofthe front panel of the bag according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open featurecomprising a square cut through the bag located near the top end of thefront panel of the bag according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open featurecomprising a carat cut through the bag located near the top end of aside panel of the bag and extending through the side panel according toone embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open featurecomprising a carat cut through the bag located near the top end of aside panel of the bag and extending across the entire length of the bagaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open featurecomprising a carat cut through the bag located near the top end of aside panel of the bag and extending across the side panel and the frontpanel of the bag according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open featurecomprising a bidirectional square cut through the bag located near thetop end of the front panel of the bag and extending into both sidepanels according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows a back side view of a pinch cut bag according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 shows a front side view of a printed pinch cut bag with an easyopen feature comprising a square cut through the bag located near thetop end of the bag according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a top end or bottom end portionof a pinch cut bag according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 17 shows an isometric view of a pinch cut bag according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 shows a flush cut bag with an easy open feature comprising acover located near the bottom end of the bag with an “H” cut through thecover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 shows a bag with an easy open feature comprising a cover locatednear the bottom end of the bag with a carat cut through the coveraccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 shows a flush cut bag with an easy open feature comprising afirst cover located near the bottom end of the bag with an “H” cutthrough the first cover and a second cover over the “H” cut in the firstcover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 shows a bag with an easy open feature comprising a first coverlocated near the bottom end of the bag with a carat cut through thefirst cover and a second cover over the carat cut through the firstcover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 shows a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature comprising acover located near the bottom end of the bag having a full cut in theshape of a triangle or carat through the cover according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 shows a bag with an easy open feature comprising a cover locatednear the bottom end of the bag having an “H” cut through the coveraccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 shows a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature comprising firstcover located near the bottom end of the bag having a full cut in theshape of a triangle or carat through the first cover and a second coverover the full cut according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 shows a bag with an easy open feature comprising a first coverlocated near the bottom end of the bag having an “H” cut through thefirst cover and a second cover over the “H” cut according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, the front side view of an embodiment of a bag1 a is shown. Bag 1 a has a front wall 10, a back wall 11, a first sidewall 12, a second side wall 13, a top end 14, and a bottom end 15. Itwill be apparent, however, that the orientation of the bag ends 14 and15 is unimportant and the “top” and “bottom” references are useful butmay change depending on the orientation one views the bag. As shown inFIG. 1 the top end 14 is considered a “flush cut” because the top endsof the front wall 10 and the back wall 11 are cut so that the top endsof the front wall 10 and the back wall 11 are essentially “flush” withone another; they have substantially the same length. Additionally, asshown in FIG. 1 the bottom end 15 is considered a “pinch cut” becausethe bottom end of the front wall 10 is longer than the bottom end of theback wall 11. Bag 1 a also comprises an easy open feature 20 near thetop end 14 of the bag 1 a, which in this embodiment comprises a full cut21 in a rectangular shape having a first end 21 a and a second end 21 bthrough the front wall 10 of bag 1 a, a first row of perforations 22extending from the first end 21 a of the cut 21, a second row ofperforations 23 extending from the second end 21 b of the cut 21, anoptional third row of perforations 24 connecting the end of the firstrow of perforations 22 and the second row of perforations 23, a cover 25over the cut 21 and the rows of perforations 22, 23 and 24, and a pulltab 26 attached to the cover 25. Although in this embodiment the easyopen feature 20 is located near the top end 14 of the bag 1 a and thepull tab is located close to the second side wall 13, the skilledartisan will realize that the easy open feature 20 could also be in theopposite orientation, with the pull tab located closer to the first sidewall 12, reside in either orientation near the bottom end 15 of thefront wall 10 of bag 1 a, or reside in either orientation near the topend 14 or bottom end 15 on the back wall 11 of the bag 1 a. The full cut21 can be formed by punching, cutting, or through the use of a laser, orby any other technique known to those skilled in the art. The easy openfeature 20 (in this embodiment the cut 21 and/or first 22 or second 23row of perforations) provides a portion of bag 1 a that is weakened.This weakened portion can be opened with less force than required toopen or tear other portions of the bag 1 a.

Bag 1 a can be opened by pulling the pull tab 26, which removes thecover 25 and the portion of bag 1 a defined by the cut 21 and the first,second, and third row of perforations 22, 23, and 24, respectively.Although not shown in this embodiment, it will be understood that thefull cut 21 can be larger or smaller, and can extend to a greater orlesser extent, and the first and second rows of perforations 22 and 23,respectfully, can extend any distance from the first end and second end,respectively, of the cut toward the opposite side wall of the bag, forexample 50%, 75%, 90% or about 100% of the distance from the ends of thecut to the opposite side of the bag. In addition, although not shown inthis embodiment, the cover 25 can cover less than the full extent of thefirst and second rows of perforations, whatever distance the rows ofperforations extend across the front wall of the bag, and in certainembodiments covers only the full cut portion of the easy open feature20. The cover can comprise a polymer, a film, an adhesive, paper, or anycombination thereof. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the cut 21 and thefirst, second, and third row of perforations 22, 23, and 24 can comprisea first cover and a second cover, or a plurality of covers.Additionally, the pull tab 26 can comprise black and white and/or colorprinting (not shown), for example a coupon (not shown), and can also beused to reclose the bag.

Referring to FIG. 2, the front side view of another embodiment of a bag1 b is shown. Bag 1 b also has a front wall 10, a back wall 11, a firstside wall 12, a second side wall 13, a flush cut top end 14, and a pinchcut bottom end 15. Bag 1 b also comprises an easy open feature 20, whichin this embodiment is near the bottom end 15 of the bag 1 b andcomprises a full cut 21 in a triangular or carat shape having a firstend 21 a and a second end 21 b through the front wall 10 of bag 1 b, afirst row of perforations 22 extending from the first end 21 a of thecut 21, a second row of perforations 23 extending from the second end 21b of the cut 21, an optional third row of perforations 24 connecting theend of the first row of perforations 22 and the second row ofperforations 23, a cover 25 over the cut and the rows of perforations,and a pull tab 26 attached to the cover 25.

Referring to FIG. 3, the front side view of yet another embodiment of abag 1 c is shown. Bag 1 c also has a front wall 10, a back wall 11, afirst side wall 12, a second side wall 13, a flush cut top end 14, and apinch cut bottom end 15. Bag 1 c also comprises an easy open feature 20,which in this embodiment is near the top end 14 of the bag 1 c andcomprises a full cut 21 in a semi-circular shape having a first end 21 aand a second end 21 b through the front wall 10 of bag 1 c, a first rowof perforations 22 extending from the first end 21 a of the cut 21, asecond row of perforations 23 extending from the second end 21 b of thecut 21, an optional third row of perforations 24 connecting the end ofthe first row of perforations 22 and the second row of perforations 23,a cover 25 over the cut and the rows of perforations, and a pull tab 26attached to the cover 25.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of a cover 25 and pull tab26 is shown, where the cover 25 is over the full cut 21 in asemi-circular shape having a first end 21 a and a second end 21 b, butdoes not cover the full extent of the first row of perforations 22 andthe second row of perforations 23, and does not cover the third row ofperforations 24. In this embodiment, the pull tab 26 includesinstructions to open the bag, but can also comprise black and whiteand/or color printing (not shown), for example a promotional coupon (notshown).

Referring to FIG. 5, the front side view of still another embodiment ofa bag 1 d is shown. Bag 1 d also has a front wall 10, a back wall 11, afirst side wall 12, a second side wall 13, a flush cut top end 14, and apinch cut bottom end 15. Bag 1 d also comprises an easy open feature 20,which in this embodiment is near the bottom end 15 of the bag 1 d andcomprises a full cut 21 in a rectangular shape having a first end 21 aand a second end 21 b through the front wall 10 of bag 1 d, a first rowof perforations 22 extending from the first end 21 a of the cut 21, asecond row of perforations 23 extending from the second end 21 b of thecut 21, an optional third row of perforations 24 connecting the end ofthe first row of perforations 22 and the second row of perforations 23,a cover 25 over the cut and the rows of perforations, and a pull tab 26attached to the cover 25.

Referring to FIG. 6, the front side view of one embodiment of a “pinchcut” bag 100 a is shown. As shown in FIG. 6, the bag 100 a has a pinchcut first or top end 105 and a pinch cut second or bottom end 110. Onceagain, it will be apparent, however, that the orientation of the bagends 105 and 110 is unimportant and the “top” and “bottom” referencesare useful but may change depending on the orientation one views thebag. The bag 100 a has a front wall or surface 108 with top end 116, arear wall or surface 106, and two side walls 102 and 103. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that conventional techniques can be used toprovide side gussets in the bag 100 a for each of sides 102 and 103during this forming process. The first end 105 of bag 100 a has portions112 a and 112 b of the rear wall or surface 108 of the bag that extendfurther from the body of the bag 100 a than do portions 114 a and 114 bof the material of bag 100 a forming the side gussets for sides 102 and103. In addition, the portions 114 a and 114 b of the side gussetsextend further from the body of the bag 100 a than the top end 116 ofthe front wall 108 of the bag 100 a. As shown in FIG. 6, the front wall108 of the bag 100 a has an end portion 116 at the first end 105 of thebag that does not extend as far from the body of the bag 100 a as theend portions 114 a and 114 b of the side gussets or the end portions 112a and 112 b of the rear wall of the first end 105 of the bag 100 a. Bag100 a also comprises an easy open feature 120 near the top end 105 ofthe bag 100 a, which in this embodiment comprises a full cut 121 in arectangular shape having a first end 121 a and a second end 121 bthrough the front wall 108 of bag 100 a, a first row of perforations 122extending from the first end 121 a of the cut 121, a second row ofperforations 123 extending from the second end 121 b of the cut 121, anoptional third row of perforations 124 connecting the end of the firstrow of perforations 122 and the second row of perforations 123, a cover125 over the cut and the rows of perforations, and a pull tab 126attached to the cover 125.

Referring to FIG. 7, the front side view of another embodiment of a“pinch cut” bag 100 b is shown. As shown in FIG. 7, the bag 100 b has apinch cut first or top end 105 and a pinch cut second or bottom end 110.The bag 100 b has a front wall or surface 108 with top end 116, a rearwall or surface 106, and two side walls 102 and 103. The first end 105of bag 100 b has portions 112 a and 112 b of the rear wall or surface108 of the bag that extend further from the body of the bag 100 b thando portions 114 a and 114 b of the material of bag 100 forming the sidegussets for sides 102 and 103. In addition, the portions 114 a and 114 bof the side gussets extend further from the body of the bag 100 b thanthe top end 116 of the front wall 108 of the bag 100 b. As shown in FIG.7, the front wall 108 of the bag 100 b has an end portion 116 at thefirst end 105 of the bag that does not extend as far from the body ofthe bag 100 b as the end portions 114 a and 114 b of the side gussets orthe end portions 112 a and 112 b of the rear wall of the first end 105of the bag 100 b. Bag 100 b also comprises an easy open feature 120,which in this embodiment is near the bottom end 110 of the bag 100 b andcomprises a full cut 121 in a rectangular shape having a first end 121 aand a second end 121 b through the front wall 108 of bag 100 b, a firstrow of perforations 122 extending from the first end 121 a of the cut121, a second row of perforations 123 extending from the second end 121b of the cut 121, an optional third row of perforations 124 connectingthe end of the first row of perforations 122 and the second row ofperforations 123, a cover 125 over the cut and the rows of perforations,and a pull tab 126 attached to the cover 125.

Referring to FIG. 8, a planar view of an embodiment of a substantiallyflat sheet of material from which a “pinch cut” bag 100 c is to beformed is shown. Shown on the sheet are front wall 108, rear wall 106,first side 102 having gusset portion 114 a, second side 103 havinggusset portion 114 b, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110. Alsoshown is easy open feature 120, which in this embodiment is near thebottom end 110 of the front wall 108 of the bag 100 c and comprises afull cut 121 in a rectangular shape having a first end 121 a and asecond end 121 b through the front wall 108 of bag 100 c, a first row ofperforations 122 extending from the first end 121 a of the cut 121across the front wall 108 of bag 100 a, a second row of perforations 123extending from the second end 121 b of the cut 121 across the front wall108 of bag 100 c, an optional third row of perforations 124 connectingthe end of the first row of perforations 122 and the second row ofperforations 123, a cover 125 over the cut 121 and the rows ofperforations, and a pull tab 126 attached to the cover 125.

Referring to FIG. 9, a planar view of another embodiment of asubstantially flat sheet of material from which a “pinch cut” bag 100 dis to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet are front wall 108, rearwall 106, first side 102 having gusset portion 114 a, second side 103having gusset portion 114 b, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110.Also shown is easy open feature 120, which in this embodiment is nearthe top end 105 of the front wall 108 of the bag 100 d and comprises afull cut 121 in a rectangular shape having a first end 121 a and asecond end 121 b through the front wall 108 of bag 100 d, a first row ofperforations 122 extending from the first end 121 a of the cut 121across the front wall 108 of bag 100 d, a second row of perforations 123extending from the second end 121 b of the cut 121 across the front wall108 of bag 100 d, an optional third row of perforations 124 connectingthe end of the first row of perforations 122 and the second row ofperforations 123, a cover 125 over the cut 121 and the rows ofperforations, and a pull tab 126 attached to the cover 125.

Referring to FIG. 10, a planar view of another embodiment of asubstantially flat sheet of material from which a “pinch cut’ bag 100 eis to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet are front wall 108, rearwall 106, first side 102 having gusset portion 114 a, second side 103having gusset portion 114 b, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110.Also shown is easy open feature 120, which in this embodiment is nearthe top end 105 of the second side 103 of the bag 100 e and comprises afull cut 121 in a carat shape having a first end 121 a and a second end121 b through the second side 103 of bag 100 e, a first row ofperforations 122 extending from the first end 121 a of the cut 121across the second side 103 of bag 100 e, a second row of perforations123 extending from the second end 121 b of the cut 121 across the secondside 103 of bag 100 e, an optional third row of perforations 124connecting the end of the first row of perforations 122 and the secondrow of perforations 123, and a cover 127 over the cut 121 and a smallportion of the first row of perforations 122 and second row ofperforations 123.

Referring to FIG. 11, a planar view of another embodiment of asubstantially flat sheet of material from which a “pinch cut” bag 100 fis to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet are front wall 108, rearwall 106, first side 102 having gusset portion 114 a, second side 103having gusset portion 114 b, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110.Also shown is easy open feature 120, which in this embodiment is nearthe top end 105 of the second side 103 of the bag 100 f and comprises afull cut 121 in a carat shape having a first end 121 a and a second end121 b through the second side 103 of bag 100 f, a first row ofperforations 122 extending from the first end 121 a of the cut 121across the second side 103, front wall 108, first side 102 and rear wall104 of bag 100 f, a second row of perforations 123 extending from thesecond end 121 b of the cut 121 across the second side 103, front wall108, first side 102 and rear wall 104 of bag 100 f, an optional thirdrow of perforations 124 connecting the end of the first row ofperforations 122 and the second row of perforations 123, and a cover 127over the cut 121 and a small portion of the first row of perforations122 and second row of perforations 123.

Referring to FIG. 12, a planar view of another embodiment of asubstantially flat sheet of material from which a “pinch cut” bag 100 gis to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet are front wall 108, rearwall 106, first side 102 having gusset portion 114 a, second side 103having gusset portion 114 b, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110.Also shown is easy open feature 120, which in this embodiment is nearthe top end 105 of the second side 103 of the bag 100 g and comprises afull cut 121 in a carat shape having a first end 121 a and a second end121 b through the second side 103 of bag 100 g, a first row ofperforations 122 extending from the first end 121 a of the cut 121across the second side 103, front wall 108 and into the first side 102of bag 100 g, a second row of perforations 123 extending from the secondend 121 b of the cut 121 across the second side 103, front wall 108 andinto the first side 102 of bag 100 g, an optional third row ofperforations 124 connecting the end of the first row of perforations 122and the second row of perforations 123, and a cover 127 over the cut 121and a small portion of the first row of perforations 122 and second rowof perforations 123.

Referring to FIG. 13, a planar view of another embodiment of asubstantially flat sheet of material from which a “pinch cut” bag 100 his to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet are front wall 108, rearwall 106, first side 102 having gusset portion 114 a, second side 103having gusset portion 114 b, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110.Also shown is easy open feature 120, which in this embodiment is nearthe top end 105 of the front wall 108 of the bag 100 h and comprises abidirectional full cut 121 in a square shape having a first end 121 a, asecond end 121 b, a third end 121 c and a fourth end 121 d through thefront wall 108 of bag 100 h, a first row of perforations 122 extendingfrom the first end 121 a of the cut 121 across the front wall 108 andinto the first side 102 of bag 100 h, a second row of perforations 123extending from the second end 121 b of the cut 121 across the front wall108 and into the first side 102 of bag 100 h, an optional third row ofperforations 124 connecting the end of the first row of perforations 122and the second row of perforations 123, a fourth row of perforations 122a extending from the third end 121 c of the cut 121 across the frontwall 108 and into the second side 103 of bag 100 h, a fifth row ofperforations 123 a extending from the fourth end 121 d of the cut 121across the front wall 108 and into the second side 103 of bag 100 h, anoptional sixth row of perforations 124 a connecting the end of thefourth row of perforations 122 a and the fifth row of perforations 123a, and a cover 127 over the cut 121 and a small portion of the first rowof perforations 122, second row of perforations 123, fourth row ofperforations 122 a and fifth row of perforations 123 a.

Referring to FIG. 14, the back side view of yet another embodiment of a“pinch cut” bag 100 j is shown. As shown in FIG. 14, the bag 100 j has afirst end 105 and a second end 110. It is useful to think of first andsecond ends 105 and 110 as the top and bottom ends of the bag 100 j,respectively. The bag 100 j has a front wall or surface 108, a rear wallor surface 106, and two side walls 102 and 103. The bag 100 j also has aseam 104 on the back side, or rear wall or surface. The seam 104 is madewhen the bag 100 is formed using conventional methods known to thoseskilled in the art. Using such conventional methods, a material fromwhich a bag 100 j is to be formed (such materials are discussed indetail below) is provided in a substantially flat sheet (see FIG. 8through FIG. 13). The sheet is then directed and formed so that aportion of one side of the sheet is disposed on top of the other side ofthe sheet, such as in forming a tube. The overlapping portion is thensecured and sealed together, forming the seam 104. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that conventional techniques can be used to provideside gussets in the bag 100 j for each of sides 102 and 103 during thisforming process.

The bottom (as shown in FIG. 14) of the first end 105 of bag 100 j hasportions 112 a and 112 b of the front wall 108 or surface of the bagthat extend further from the body of the bag 100 j than do portions 114a and 114 b of the material of bag 100 j forming the side gussets forsides 102 and 103. In addition, the portions 114 a and 114 b of the sidegussets extend further from the body of the bag 100 j than the top end117 of the rear wall 106 of the bag 100 j. As shown in FIG. 14, the rearwall of the bag 100 j has a top end 117 that does not extend as far fromthe body of the bag 100 j as the end portions 114 a and 114 b of theside gussets or the end portions 112 a and 112 b of the front wall 108of the bag 100 j.

Now referring to FIG. 15, a top side view of a “pinch cut” bag 100 k isprovided. For ease of reference, the same numerals are used in theFIGURES to denote the same features of bag 100 k. As shown in FIG. 15,the bag 100 k comprises multiple layers of materials 220, 222 and 224.The first layer 220 is preferably a woven polymeric material, such aspolypropylene, polyester, high-density polyethylene, or polyethylene.The woven plastic layer 220 can be made of woven strips of plastic madeof film to provide great strength from relatively lightweight materials,and can also be stretched to provide greater strength. For example,cross-laminated, woven plastic film strips, like XF films, are usefuland are commercially available from Valeron. Similarly, a biaxiallyoriented polypropylene plastic material is commercially available fromthe AmTopp Division of Inteplast Group, Ltd. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that other materials, including various blends ofpolypropylene and polyethylene can be used without departing from thescope of the disclosure.

Still referring to FIG. 15, the layer 222 is a coating or a lamination,preferably a polypropylene film. Layer 224 is preferably an orientedpolypropylene film with reverse printing. The layer 224 can comprisereverse printing of various labels, advertising, warnings, and otherinformation as may be desired, such as the cover 130 shown in FIG. 15.Although not shown, those skilled in the art will appreciated that thetop side, back side, and sides 102 and 103 of the bag 100 may allcontain such pictures, patterns, or information as may be desired. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the reverse printing of layer224 can be achieved with conventional techniques, and with variousconventional plastic films. An advantage of printing the bottom portionof the front and/or back panels is the provision of information thatremains visible when the bag is on a display shelf in a store.

Still referring to FIG. 15, the bottom side (as shown in FIG. 15) of thebag 100 k extends outward from the body of the bag 100 k at the secondend 110 of the bag 100 k. As shown in FIG. 15, the top side of the bag100 k has an end portion 140 extending along the width of the bag 100 k.The side gussets of the sides 102 and 103 of the bag 100 k each haveportions 142 a and 142 b which extend further towards the second end 110of the bag 100 k than the end portion 140 of the top side of bag 100 k.In addition, the bottom side of the bag 100 k has an end portion 110that extends further from the end portions 142 a and 142 b of the sidegussets. The end portion 110 of the bag 100 k includes portions 144 aand 144 b. As shown in FIG. 15, the second end portion of the bottomside of the bag 100 k extends along the entire width of the bag 100 k.Also shown is seam 104.

Still referring to FIG. 15, the exposed end portions 144 a and 144 b ofthe bottom side of the bag 100 k can be coated with a durable adhesive.The adhesive can be applied to selective surface areas, such as portions144 a and 144 b, or can be applied in a line extending across the bottomside of the bag 100 k along the second end portion 110, includingportions 144 a and 144 b. After the adhesive is applied, preferably thesides 102 and 103 of the bag 100, together with the bottom side of thebag 100 k are folded so that at least a portion of the interior surfaceof the bottom side of the bag 100 k extends over the top surface of thetop side of the bag 100 k. Preferably, the portions 142 a and 142 b ofthe side gussets will be folded over and attached to the top surface ofthe top side of the bag 100 k, as well as portions 144 a and 144 b ofthe second end 110 of the bottom side of the bag 100 k. The coating thenseals the second end 110 of the bag 100 k together. The first end 105 ofthe bag 100 k can be sealed in a similar fashion if desired.Alternatively, the first end 105 or second end 110 of the bag 100 k canbe sealed using a hot melt technique or any other technique well-knownto those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 16, a detailed cross-sectional view of an endportion of the bag 100 is provided. As shown in FIG. 16, at least aportion of the front side 130 of bag 100 is now covered by the lowestedge portion 110 of the back side of bag 100, the extending portions 142a, 142 b of side 102 of the bag 100, as well as a portion of the frontside 130 of bag 100 including end portion 140. Once these portions arefolded over, heat and pressure can be applied as appropriate to obtainand ensure that the bottom end 110 of bag 100 is durably sealed, such aswith a conventional heat sealable adhesive.

Once the bag 100 is sealed at one end, it can be filled with the desiredmaterials. It has been found that a bag 100 with a height of 41 inchesand a width of 28 inches can durably hold at least about fifty (50)pounds of material without showing undue stress, tearing, breakage orthe like. It is believed that any bulk material can be contained by bag100, and the contents can weigh up to 100 pounds or so without unduerisk of tearing or damage to bag 100. Once the bag 100 is filled, thesecond end typically needs to be sealed. The second end of the bag 100can be sealed in a similar manner as that described above for the bottomend 110. Alternatively, the bag 100 can have its second end sealed byconventional means such as sewing. Still another approach is to seal thesecond end in a manner like that described for the bottom end 110 of thebag 100, and then stitching one of the two ends (not shown). Althoughnot shown, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate thata second end of bag 100 can be sealed with conventional techniques oncebag 100 has been filled with the selected amount of the desiredmaterial.

Referring now to FIG. 17, an isometric view of bag 1700 is provided. Asshown in FIG. 17, the bag 1700 includes a front panel 1701, a first sidepanel with gussets 1709, a second side panel with gussets (not visiblein FIG. 17), a top end 1703, and a bottom end 1705. The bag 1700 is apinch cut bag like those described previously, with both a pinch cut topend 1703 and a pinch cut bottom end 1705. The bag 1700 preferably has aweakened area (not shown in FIG. 17) or other easy open feature on atleast one surface (not shown in FIG. 17). As shown in FIG. 17, the bag1700 has been filled and sealed and contains one or more materials.Although the contents of the bag 1700 may be food, animal food, otherbulk items, the contents may also contain liquids or mixtures. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the bag 1700, once formed inaccordance with the present disclosure, may be filled and then eitherthe top end 1703 or the bottom end 1705 or both may be sealed asdescribed previously. As shown in FIG. 17, the bag 1700, once filled,presents a bottom panel 1707 on the bottom end 1705 thereof and a toppanel on the top end thereof (not visible in FIG. 17). The bag 1700 maybe stacked on top of similar or different bags, such as at a grocerystore, pet store, or other display location, such that panel 1707 iseasily visible to a consumer. As shown in FIG. 17 the front panel 1701,the first side panel 1709 and the bottom panel 1707 includes printing(and can also include graphics), and it will be appreciated by theskilled artisan that the top panel, the rear panel, and the second sidepanel of bag 1700, which are not visible in FIG. 17, can also includegraphics and/or printing. Thus bag 1700 has six discrete areas forprinting and/or graphics, each formed by a discrete surface area of thebag 1700. Additionally, the printing and/or graphics can extend acrossmore than one panel, or any combination of the six panels (not shown).The panel 1707 may include graphics and/or printing so that a consumeris able to quickly, readily and easily identify the brand of thecontents in the bag, such as the brand name for the pet food therein ifthe bag 1700 contains pet food. Alternatively, or in addition, theprinting or graphics on the panel 1707 may contain information such asprice, composition, expiration date, and the like. In anotherembodiment, the panel 1707 may contain printing or graphics that providea coupon or other price discount or other offer, either on the contentsof the bag 1700 or some other product.

Referring to FIG. 18, the front side view of an embodiment of a “flushcut” bag 1001 a is shown. Bag 1001 a has a front wall 1010, a back wall1011, a first side wall 1012, a second side wall 1013, a top end 1014,and a bottom end 1015. It will be apparent, however, that theorientation of the bag ends 14 and 15 is unimportant and the “top” and“bottom” references are useful but may change depending on theorientation one views the bag. Bag 1001 a is considered a “flush cut”bag because the front wall 1010 and the back wall 1011 are cut so thatthe ends of the front wall 1010 and the back wall 1011 are essentially“flush” with one another; they have substantially the same length. Bag1001 a also comprises an easy open feature 1030 comprising a cover 1019proximal to the sealed single fold 1016 (in other embodiments this couldbe a double fold) at the bottom end 1015 of the bag 1001 a. In thisembodiment the cover 1019 comprises a first cut 1031 through the cover1019 having a first end 1031 a and a second end 1031 b, a second cut1032 through the cover 1019 having a first end 1032 a and a second end1032 b, and a third cut 1033 through the cover 1019 extending from thefirst cut 1031 to the second cut 1032. This particular orientation ofcuts is also referred to as an “H” cut. Although in this embodiment the“H” cut is located near the center of the cover 1019, the skilledartisan will realize that the “H” cut could be in any location along thecover, for example closer to the first side wall 1012 or the second sidewall 1013. The “H” cut can be formed by punching, cutting, or throughthe use of a laser, or by any other technique known to those skilled inthe art. The “H” cut provides a portion of the cover 1019 that isweakened. This weakened portion can be opened with less force thanrequired to open or tear other portions of the cover 1019.

Bag 1001 a can be opened by pulling the portion of the cover 1019 oneither (or both) end of the third cut 1033, which exposes a weakenedarea, for example a cut, a series of perforations, or a scoring line, onthe front wall 1010 of the bag 1001 a proximal to the single 1016 (ordouble) fold at the bottom end 1015 of the bag 1001 a. This weakenedportion can be opened with less force than required to open or tearother portions of the bag 1001 a, including, but not limited to, thesealed single 1016 (or double) fold. Although not shown in thisembodiment, it will be understood that the first cut 1031 and/or secondcut 1032 can be larger or smaller, and can extend any distance from thefirst ends 1031 a and 1032 a and second ends 1031 b and 1032 b,respectively, of the first 1031 and second 1032 cut toward the oppositeside walls of the bag, for example covering 50%, 75%, 90% or about 100%of the distance from the third cut to the opposite sides of the bag.

Referring to FIG. 19, a front side view of another embodiment of a bag1001 b is shown. Bag 1001 b also has a front wall 1010, a back wall1011, a first side wall 1012, a second side wall 1013, a flush cut topend 1014, and a pinch cut bottom end 1015. Bag 1001 b also comprises aneasy open feature 1020 comprising a cover 1019, which in this embodimentis near the bottom end 1015 of the bag 1001 b and comprises a full cut1021 in a triangular or carat shape having a first end 1021 a and asecond end 1021 b through the cover 1019. Bag 1001 b can be opened bypulling the full cut 1021 across the cover 1019, exposing a weakenedarea, for example a cut, a series of perforations, or a scoring line, onthe front wall 1010 of the bag 1001 b. The weakened area of the bag 1001b can be opened with less force than required to open or tear otherportions of the bag 1001 b.

Referring to FIG. 20, a front side view of another embodiment of a flushcut bag 1001 c is shown. Bag 1001 c also has a front wall 1010, a backwall 1011, a first side wall 1012, a second side wall 1013, a top end1014, and a bottom end 1015. Bag 1001 c also comprises an easy openfeature 1030 comprising a first cover 1019 that covers a weakenedportion of the bag 1001 c proximal to the sealed single fold 1016 (inother embodiments this could be a double fold) at the bottom end 1015 ofthe bag 1001 a. In this embodiment the first cover 1019 comprises afirst cut 1031 through the first cover 1019 having a first end 1031 aand a second end 1031 b, a second cut 1032 through the first cover 1019having a first end 1032 a and a second end 1032 b, and a third cut 1033through the first cover 1019 extending from the first cut 1031 to thesecond cut 1032. Once again, this particular orientation of cuts is alsoreferred to as an “H” cut. In this embodiment the “H” cut is covered bya second cover 1035 having a pull tab 1036. Bag 1001 c can be opened bypulling the pull tab 1036, thus removing the second cover 1035 from the“H” cut, and then pulling the portion of the first cover 1019 on either(or both) end of the third cut 1033, which exposes a weakened area, forexample a cut, a series of perforations, or a scoring line, on the frontwall 1010 of the bag 1001 c near the sealed single 1016 (or double) foldat the bottom end 1015 of the bag 1001 c. This weakened area can beopened with less force than required to open or tear other portions ofthe bag 1001 c, including, but not limited to, the sealed single 1016(or double) fold.

Referring to FIG. 21, a front side view of another embodiment of a bag1001 d is shown. Bag 1001 d also has a front wall 1010, a back wall1011, a first side wall 1012, a second side wall 1013, a flush cut topend 1014, and a pinch cut bottom end 1015. Bag 1001 d also comprises aneasy open feature 1020 comprising a first cover 1019, which in thisembodiment is near the bottom end 1015 of the bag 1001 d and comprises afull cut 1021 in a triangular or carat shape having a first end 1021 aand a second end 1021 b through the first cover 1019. In this embodimentthe full cut 1021 is covered by a second cover 1025 having a pull tab1026. Bag 1001 d can be opened by pulling the pull tab 1026, thusremoving the second cover 1025 from the full cut 1021, and then pullingthe full cut 1021 across the first cover 1019, exposing a weakened area,for example a cut, a series of perforations, or a scoring line, on thefront wall 1010 of the bag 1001 d. The weakened area of the bag 1001 dcan be opened with less force than required to open or tear otherportions of the bag 1001 d.

Referring to FIG. 22, the front side view of one embodiment of a “pinchcut” bag 1100 a is shown. As shown in FIG. 22, the bag 1100 a has afirst or top end 1105 and a second or bottom end 1110. Once again, itwill be apparent, however, that the orientation of the bag ends 1105 and1110 is unimportant and the “top” and “bottom” references are useful butmay change depending on the orientation one views the bag. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 22 both of the ends of the bag 1100 a have a“pinch cut.” The bag 1100 a has a front wall or surface 1108 with topend 1116, a rear wall or surface 1106, and two side walls 1102 and 1103.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that conventional techniquescan be used to provide side gussets in the bag 1100 a for each of sides1102 and 1103 during this forming process. The first end 1105 of bag1100 a has portions 1112 a and 1112 b of the rear wall or surface 1108of the bag that extend further from the body of the bag 1100 a than doportions 1114 a and 1114 b of the material of bag 1100 a forming theside gussets for sides 1102 and 1103. In addition, the portions 1114 aand 1114 b of the side gussets extend further from the body of the bag1100 a than the top end 1116 of the front wall 1108 of the bag 1100 a.As shown in FIG. 22, the front wall 1108 of the bag 1100 a has an endportion 1116 at the first end 1105 of the bag that does not extend asfar from the body of the bag 1100 a as the end portions 1114 a and 1114b of the side gussets or the end portions 1112 a and 1112 b of the rearwall of the first end 1105 of the bag 1100 a. Bag 1100 a also comprisesan easy open feature 1120 comprising a cover 1019 near the bottom end1110 of the bag 1100 a. In this embodiment the cover 1019 comprises afull cut 1121 in a rectangular shape having a first end 1121 a and asecond end 1121 b through the cover 1019. Bag 1100 a can be opened bypulling the full cut 1121 across the cover 1019, exposing a weakenedarea, for example a cut, a series of perforations, or a scoring line, onthe front wall 1108 of the bag 1100 a. The weakened area on the frontwall 1108 of the bag 1100 a can be opened with less force than requiredto open or tear other portions of the bag 1100 a.

Referring to FIG. 23, the front side view of another embodiment of a bag1100 b is shown. As shown in FIG. 23, the bag 1100 b has a pinch cutfirst or top end 1105 and a flush cut second or bottom end 1110. The bag1100 b has a front wall or surface 1108 with top end 1116, a rear wallor surface 1106, and two side walls 1102 and 1103. The first end 1105 ofbag 1100 b has portions 1112 a and 1112 b of the rear wall or surface1108 of the bag that extend further from the body of the bag 1100 b thando portions 1114 a and 1114 b of the material of bag 1100 b forming theside gussets for sides 1102 and 1103. In addition, the portions 1114 aand 1114 b of the side gussets extend further from the body of the bag1100 b than the top end 1116 of the front wall 1108 of the bag 1100 b.As shown in FIG. 23, the front wall 1108 of the bag 1100 b has an endportion 1116 at the first end 1105 of the bag that does not extend asfar from the body of the bag 1100 b as the end portions 1114 a and 1114b of the side gussets or the end portions 1112 a and 1112 b of the rearwall of the first end 1105 of the bag 1100 b. In addition, the bottomend 1110 of bag 1100 b is sealed using a single fold 1109 (in otherembodiments this can be a double fold). Bag 1100 b also comprises aneasy open feature 1130 comprising a cover 1019, proximal to the sealedsingle 1016 (or double) fold at the bottom end 1110 of the bag 1100 b.The cover 1019 comprises a first cut 1031 through the cover 1019 havinga first end 1031 a and a second end 1031 b, a second cut 1032 throughthe cover 1019 having a first end 1032 a and a second end 1032 b, and athird cut 1033 through the cover 1019 extending from the first cut 1031to the second cut 1032. Once again, this particular orientation of cutsis also referred to as an “H” cut. Bag 1100 b can be opened by pullingthe portion of the cover 1019 on either (or both) end of the third cut1033, which exposes a weakened area, for example a cut, a series ofperforations, or a scoring line, on the front wall 1108 of the bag 1100b. The weakened area on the front wall 1108 of the bag 1100 b can beopened with less force than required to open or tear other portions ofthe bag 1100 b, including, but not limited to, the sealed single 1109(or double) fold.

Referring to FIG. 24, the front side view of one embodiment of a “pinchcut” bag 1100 c is shown. As shown in FIG. 24, the bag 1100 c has afirst or top end 1105 and a second or bottom end 1110. Once again, itwill be apparent, however, that the orientation of the bag ends 1105 and1110 is unimportant and the “top” and “bottom” references are useful butmay change depending on the orientation one views the bag. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 24 both of the ends of the bag 1100 c have a“pinch cut.” The bag 1100 c has a front wall or surface 1108 with topend 1116, a rear wall or surface 1106, and two side walls 1102 and 1103.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that conventional techniquescan be used to provide side gussets in the bag 1100 c for each of sides1102 and 1103 during this forming process. The first end 1105 of bag1100 c has portions 1112 a and 1112 b of the rear wall or surface 1108of the bag that extend further from the body of the bag 1100 c than doportions 1114 a and 1114 b of the material of bag 1100 c forming theside gussets for sides 1102 and 1103. In addition, the portions 1114 aand 1114 b of the side gussets extend further from the body of the bag1100 c than the top end 1116 of the front wall 1108 of the bag 1100 c.As shown in FIG. 24, the front wall 1108 of the bag 1100 c has an endportion 1116 at the first end 1105 of the bag that does not extend asfar from the body of the bag 1100 c as the end portions 1114 a and 1114b of the side gussets or the end portions 1112 a and 1112 b of the rearwall of the first end 1105 of the bag 1100 c. Bag 1100 c also comprisesan easy open feature 1120 comprising a first cover 1019 near the bottomend 1110 of the bag 1100 c. In this embodiment the first cover 1019comprises a full cut 1121 in a rectangular shape having a first end 1121a and a second end 1121 b through the first cover 1019, and a secondcover 1125 having a pull tab 1126 covering the full cut 1121 in thefirst cover 1019. Bag 1100 c can be opened by pulling the pull tab 1126,thus removing the second cover 1125 from the full cut 1121, and thenpulling the full cut 1121 across the first cover 1019, exposing aweakened area, for example a cut, a series of perforations, or a scoringline, on the front wall 1108 of the bag 1100 c. The weakened area on thefront wall 1108 of the bag 1100 c can be opened with less force thanrequired to open or tear other portions of the bag 1100 c.

Referring to FIG. 25, the front side view of another embodiment of a bag1100 d is shown. As shown in FIG. 25, the bag 1100 d has a pinch cutfirst or top end 1105 and a flush cut second or bottom end 1110. The bag1100 d has a front wall or surface 1108 with top end 1116, a rear wallor surface 1106, and two side walls 1102 and 1103. The first end 1105 ofbag 1100 d has portions 1112 a and 1112 b of the rear wall or surface1108 of the bag that extend further from the body of the bag 1100 d thando portions 1114 a and 1114 b of the material of bag 1100 d forming theside gussets for sides 1102 and 1103. In addition, the portions 1114 aand 1114 b of the side gussets extend further from the body of the bag1100 d than the top end 1116 of the front wall 1108 of the bag 1100 d.As shown in FIG. 25, the front wall 1108 of the bag 1100 d has an endportion 1116 at the first end 1105 of the bag that does not extend asfar from the body of the bag 1100 d as the end portions 1114 a and 1114b of the side gussets or the end portions 1112 a and 1112 b of the rearwall of the first end 1105 of the bag 1100 d. In addition, the bottomend 1110 of bag 1100 d is sealed using a single fold 1109 (in otherembodiments this can be a double fold). Bag 1100 d also comprises aneasy open feature 1130 comprising a first cover 1019, which in thisembodiment is proximal to the sealed single 1016 (or double) fold at thebottom end 1110 of the bag 1100 b. The first cover 1019 comprises afirst cut 1031 through the first cover 1019 having a first end 1031 aand a second end 1031 b, a second cut 1032 through the first cover 1019having a first end 1032 a and a second end 1032 b, and a third cut 1033through the first cover 1019 extending from the first cut 1031 to thesecond cut 1032. Once again, this particular orientation of cuts is alsoreferred to as an “H” cut. Bag 1100 d also has a second cover 1135having a pull tab 1136 that covers the “H” cut. Bag 1100 d can be openedby pulling the pull tab 1136 thus removing the second cover 1135 fromthe “H” cut, and pulling the portion of the first cover 1019 on either(or both) end of the third cut 1033, which exposes weakened area, forexample a cut, a series of perforations, or a scoring line, on the frontwall 1108 of the bag 1100 c. The weakened area on the front wall 1108 ofthe bag 1100 c can be opened with less force than required to open ortear other portions of the bag 1100 c, including, but not limited to,the sealed single 1109 (or double) fold.

Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the bagaccording to the disclosure may vary in size, dimensions, and shapewithout departing from the scope of the disclosure, and that theforegoing description of the preferred embodiments is not intended tolimit the scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims. For example,those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that theforegoing bag 1 or bag 100 can have sealed and sewn ends in a tubularbag with side gussets as shown, or a block bottom and top, or acombination thereof, although not shown. Those skilled in the art willalso appreciate that a weakened portion or area can be provided in anumber of ways that may vary from those expressly described and shown,such as by stressing portions of the bag wall with or without deforming,perforating, or cutting same, as well as varying the size, number,depth, and/or pattern of perforations, cuts, and/or deformations in abag wall. Similarly, those skilled in the art will understand that thebag 1 may be provided with a re-usable opening (not shown) or a cornerportion adapted to allow a person to easily pour the contents of the bag1 out (not shown), or a combination of these two features. Such featuresare conventional with prior art bags. Similarly, those skilled in theart will appreciate that terms such as “front” and “rear,” and “top” and“bottom,” are useful in describing a bag, but essentially depend on abag's orientation when such terms are used, and are therefore notlimiting as to a bag's orientation.

I claim:
 1. A bag comprising: a front wall, a back wall, an interiorsurface, an exterior surface, a top end, and a bottom end, wherein eachof the front wall and the back wall comprise a first layer and a secondlayer wherein each of the first layer and the second layer comprisepolypropylene and the first layer further comprises woven strips;wherein the first layer and the second layer are laminated to oneanother; wherein the bag further comprises a first plurality ofperforations that extend at least partially through the front wall;wherein the first plurality of perforations define a line extendingacross a portion of the front wall; wherein the bag further comprises afirst cover that covers the first plurality of perforations; wherein thefirst cover comprises a second plurality of perforations that penetratethrough at least a portion of the first cover; and wherein the bagfurther comprises a second cover that covers the second plurality ofperforations.
 2. The bag according to claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe first layer and the second layer further comprises orientedpolypropylene or biaxially-oriented polypropylene.
 3. The bag accordingto claim 1 wherein the first layer comprises woven strips comprisingoriented polypropylene and the second layer comprises a film comprisingoriented polypropylene.
 4. The bag according to claim 1 furthercomprising a third layer, wherein the third layer comprisespolypropylene and laminates the first layer and second layer to oneanother.
 5. The bag according to claim 4 wherein the third layer furthercomprises a polymer film comprising oriented polypropylene.
 6. The bagaccording to claim 1, wherein the first cover has a first surface and asecond surface and an adhesive on at least a portion of the firstsurface, the second surface, or both.
 7. The bag according to claim 1,wherein at least two of the first plurality of perforations or at leasttwo of the second plurality of perforations comprise parallel lines. 8.The bag according to claim 1, further comprising: a third plurality ofperforations extending from an end of at least one of the firstplurality of perforations or one of the second plurality ofperforations, wherein the third plurality of perforations penetrate indepth through at least one of: a portion of the front wall, a portion ofthe first cover, and a portion of the second cover.
 9. The bag accordingto claim 8, further comprising a second plurality of perforationsextending from a second end of at least one of the first plurality ofperforations or one of the second plurality of perforations.
 10. The bagaccording to claim 9, wherein the first plurality of perforations or thesecond plurality of perforations defines a line.
 11. The bag accordingto claim 1, wherein the first cover comprises a polymer, a film, anadhesive, a paper, or any combination thereof.
 12. The bag according toclaim 11, wherein the second cover further comprises a polymer, a film,an adhesive, a paper, or any combination thereof.
 13. The bag accordingto claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a bottom end of the rear wallextends further than a bottom end of the front wall.
 14. The bagaccording to claim 13 wherein the portion of the bottom end of the rearwall that extends further than the bottom end of the front wall issealed to an outer surface of the bottom end of the front wall.
 15. Thebag according to claim 13, wherein the bag further comprises: a firstside wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end anda bottom end; and a second side wall having an interior surface, anexterior surface, a top end and a bottom end, wherein the first sidewall and the second side wall further comprise gussets.
 16. The bagaccording to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the bottom end ofthe rear wall extends further than the bottom end of the first side walland the bottom end of the second side wall; wherein the bottom end ofthe first side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall extendfurther than the bottom end of the front wall; and wherein the portionof the bottom end of the rear wall that extends further than the bottomend of the first side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall,and the portion of the bottom end of the first side wall and the bottomend of the second side wall that project extend than the bottom end ofthe front wall are sealed to an outer surface of the bottom end of thefront wall.
 17. The bag according to claim 1, wherein the top end andthe bottom end of the bag are sealed, and wherein the bag comprises atleast ten pounds by weight of a filling material.
 18. The bag accordingto claim 1 wherein at least portions of each of the front wall and theback wall comprise printing thereon.
 19. The bag according to claim 16,wherein at least a portion of one of the front wall and the back wallprojects beyond a corresponding portion of the other, thereby defining apinch bottom bag at the top end or the bottom end of the bag.
 20. A bagcomprising: a front wall, a back wall, an interior surface, an exteriorsurface, a top end, and a bottom end, wherein each of the front wall andthe back wall comprise a first layer and a second layer; wherein each ofthe first layer and the second layer comprise polyethylene and the firstlayer further comprises woven strips; wherein the first layer and thesecond layer are laminated to one another; wherein the bag furthercomprises a first plurality of perforations that extend at leastpartially through the front wall; wherein the first plurality ofperforations define a line extending across a portion of the front wall;wherein the bag further comprises a first cover that covers the firstplurality of perforations; wherein the first cover comprises a secondplurality of perforations that penetrate through at least a portion ofthe first cover; and wherein the bag further comprises a second coverthat covers the second plurality of perforations.
 21. The bag accordingto claim 20, wherein at least one of the first layer and the secondlayer further comprises oriented polypropylene or biaxially-orientedpolypropylene.
 22. The bag according to claim 20 wherein the first layercomprises woven strips comprising oriented polypropylene and the secondlayer comprises a film comprising oriented polypropylene.
 23. The bagaccording to claim 20 further comprising a third layer, wherein thethird layer comprises polypropylene and laminates the first layer andsecond layer to one another.
 24. The bag according to claim 23 whereinthe third layer further comprises a polymer film comprising orientedpolypropylene.
 25. The bag according to claim 20, wherein the firstcover has a first surface and a second surface and an adhesive on atleast a portion of the first surface, the second surface, or both. 26.The bag according to claim 20, wherein at least two of the firstplurality of perforations or at least two of the second plurality ofperforations comprise parallel lines.
 27. The bag according to claim 20,further comprising: a third plurality of perforations extending from anend of at least one of the first plurality of perforations or one of thesecond plurality of perforations, wherein the third plurality ofperforations penetrate in depth through at least one of: a portion ofthe front wall, a portion of the first cover, and a portion of thesecond cover.
 28. The bag according to claim 27, further comprising asecond plurality of perforations extending from a second end of at leastone of the first plurality of perforations or one of the secondplurality of perforations.
 29. The bag according to claim 28, whereinthe first plurality of perforations or the second plurality ofperforations defines a line.
 30. The bag according to claim 20, whereinthe first cover comprises a polymer, a film, an adhesive, a paper, orany combination thereof.
 31. The bag according to claim 30, wherein thesecond cover further comprises a polymer, a film, an adhesive, a paper,or any combination thereof.
 32. The bag according to claim 20, whereinat least a portion of a bottom end of the rear wall extends further thana bottom end of the front wall.
 33. The bag according to claim 32wherein the portion of the bottom end of the rear wall that extendsfurther than the bottom end of the front wall is sealed to an outersurface of the bottom end of the front wall.
 34. The bag according toclaim 33, wherein the bag further comprises: a first side wall having aninterior surface, an exterior surface, a top end and a bottom end; and asecond side wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a topend and a bottom end, wherein the first side wall and the second sidewall further comprise gussets.
 35. The bag according to claim 34,wherein at least a portion of the bottom end of the rear wall extendsfurther than the bottom end of the first side wall and the bottom end ofthe second side wall; wherein the bottom end of the first side wall andthe bottom end of the second side wall extend further than the bottomend of the front wall; and wherein the portion of the bottom end of therear wall that extends further than the bottom end of the first sidewall and the bottom end of the second side wall, and the portion of thebottom end of the first side wall and the bottom end of the second sidewall that project extend than the bottom end of the front wall aresealed to an outer surface of the bottom end of the front wall.
 36. Thebag according to claim 20, wherein the top end and the bottom end of thebag are sealed, and wherein the bag comprises at least ten pounds byweight of a filling material.
 37. The bag according to claim 20 whereinat least portions of each of the front wall and the back wall compriseprinting.
 38. The bag according to claim 37, wherein at least a portionof one of the front wall and the back wall projects beyond acorresponding portion of the other, thereby defining a pinch bottom bagat the top end or the bottom end of the bag.
 39. A bag comprising: afront wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, aninterior surface, an exterior surface, a first end adapted to form afirst end panel, and a second end adapted to form a second end panel;wherein the front wall, the back wall, the first side wall, and thesecond side wall each comprise a first layer and a second layer; whereinthe first layer comprises woven polymer strips and the second layercomprises a polymer film, and each of the first layer and the secondlayer comprise polypropylene, polyethylene, or a combination thereof;wherein a first end of the front wall extends further than a first endof the first side wall and a first end of the second side wall; whereinthe first end of the first side wall and a first end of the second sidewall extend further than the first end of the back wall; wherein atleast one of the front wall, the first side wall, the back wall, thesecond side wall, the first end, and the second end comprises printingor graphics; wherein the bag further comprises a weakened area on atleast one of the front wall, the back wall, the first side wall, and thesecond side wall; wherein the weakened area comprises a plurality ofperforations, each of the perforations extending through the first layerand the second layer; wherein the bag further comprises a cover coveringthe weakened area; and wherein the cover further comprises a secondweakened area weakened by a second plurality of perforations extendingat least partially through the cover.
 40. The bag according to claim 39wherein the cover comprises a polymer, a film, an adhesive, a paper, ora combination thereof.
 41. The bag according to claim 39, wherein thetop end panel and the bottom end panel are usable to close the bag atthe first end and at the second end, respectively.
 42. The bag accordingto claim 39 further comprising a third layer, wherein the third layercomprises polypropylene polyethylene, or a combination thereof, andlaminates the first layer and second layer to one another.
 43. The bagaccording to claim 42 wherein the third layer further comprises apolymer film comprising oriented polypropylene, polyethylene, or acombination thereof.
 44. The bag according to claim 43, wherein each ofthe first layer, the second layer, and the third layer consistessentially of polypropylene.
 45. The bag according to claim 43, whereineach of the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer consistessentially of polyethylene.
 46. The bag according to claim 43, whereineach of the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer consistessentially of polypropylene, polyethylene, or a combination thereof.